Statutory Provisions On Reporting

Statutory provisions on reporting by media of the cases involving
sexual offences


The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 has these guidelines on how to report
such cases. The details of the Act are as below


PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, 2012


Chapter V- Procedure for reporting of cases


Sec 23. Procedure for media

No person shall make any report or present comments on any child from any form of media or
studio or photographic facilities without having complete and authentic information, which may
have the effect of lowering his reputation or infringing upon his privacy.

  1. No reports in any media shall disclose, the identity of a child including his name, address,
    photograph, family details, school, neighborhood or any other particulars which may lead to
    disclosure of identity of the child:
    Provided that for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Special Court, competent to try the case
    under the Act, may permit such disclosure, if in its opinion such disclosure is in the interest of the
    child.
  2. The publisher or owner of the media or studio or photographic facilities shall be jointly and
    severally liable for the acts and omissions of his employee.
  3. Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2)
    shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment of either description for a period which shall
    not be less than six months but which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.
    INDIAN PENAL CODE, 1860
    Chapter XI- Of false evidence and offences against public justice
    [228A. Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc.—
    (1) Whoever prints or publishes the name or any matter which may make known the identity of any
    person against whom an offence under section 376, section 376A, section 376B, section 376C or
    section 376D is alleged or found to have been committed (hereafter in this section referred to as
    the victim) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend
    to two years and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) extends to any printing or publication of the name or any matter
which may make known the identity of the victim if such printing or publication is—


(a) by or under the order in writing of the officer-in-charge of the police station or the police officer
making the investigation into such offense acting in good faith for the purposes of such
investigation; or
(b) by, or with the authorization in writing of, the victim; or


(c) where the victim is dead or minor or of unsound mind, by, or with the authorisation in writing
of, the next of kin of the victim: Provided that no such authorisation shall be given by the next of
kin to anybody other than the chairman or the secretary, by whatever name called, of any
recognised welfare institution or organisation. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section,
“recognised welfare institution or organisation” means a social welfare institution or organisation
recognised on this behalf by the Central or State Government.


(3) Whoever prints or publishes any matter in relation to any proceeding before a court with
respect to an offence referred to in sub-section (1) without the previous permission of such Court
shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two
years and shall also be liable to fine.


Explanation.—The printing or publication of the judgment of any High Court or the Supreme Court
does not amount to an offense within the meaning of this section.